New Holden VF Commodore revealed in Nascar clothes

HOLDEN'S new VF Commodore has broken cover in the form of a Chevrolet-branded Nascar set to hit circuits in 2013.

The Commodore will not be revealed locally until February, but its American racing cousin gives a strong indicator of some of the design details for what will be the first major redesign of the Commodore since 2006.

It's understood that the front and rear-end details - stickers designed to look like the actual components - are very close to what will be used on the production car.

The Chevrolet SS will be a performance "hero car" in the US based on the VF Commodore.

It will be the first time in 17 years that Chevrolet has offered a rear-wheel drive sedan for sale in the United States.

A statement released by Chevrolet said the new Nascar "closely resembles the all-new rear wheel drive V8 Chevrolet SS performance sedan that will debut early next year".

But Holden is predictably playing down the resemblance through fear of revealing too much before the new VF Commodore goes on sale.

Holden's director of external communications, Craig Cheetham, said "You will not see the design of the VF Commodore until early next year.

GM North America President Mark Reuss said the Commodore Nascar tie-up was a good example of the company leveraging its global portfolio.

"With the SS, Chevrolet is delivering a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR race car that is very closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale, ensuring that our most loyal enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience the same thrill every day on the open road that our race car drivers enjoy on the track on race day," he said.

The new VF Commodore has been caught testing on Australian roads, but this is the first time we have had a glimpse at its design details.

Holden has said the VF Commodore will feature "significant technology" with a focus on performance and luxury features.

The Nascar's details suggest the car will have bumper mounted LED running lights to supplement conventional fog lights and projector headlamps.

V8-powered versions of the sedan are set to revived twin exhaust outlets, and all models have tail-lights that look similar to the Cruze small car.

The new VF Commodore will feature lightweight aluminum panels which are expected to raise insurance costs for the new car, as it would be more expensive to repair after a crash.

HSV is believed to be developing a supercharged V8 to use in the new car, but the brand has kept details close to its chest.

Holden's own racing version of the VF Commodore will make its debut in time for the first 2013 V8 Supercar race of the season, the Clipsal 500 in February.

If past form is anything to go by, the Holden V8 Supercars might race as Chevrolets when the series goes to Texas in May.

Racing Commodores have been rebranded in the past as Buicks in China and Chevrolets in the Middle East.